An Illustrated History of Magic

From large, multifaceted bodies of knowledge, like divination and alchemy, to more niche practices and beliefs, like sailors' traditions and World War II folk magic, this text covers a sweeping range of subjects relating to magical rituals and witchcraft [...] A huge undertaking concisely and conscientiously executed. * Kirkus Reviews *
Going beyond the art of prestidigitation, Boardman's newest addition to his Illustrated History series explores everything from tarot and alchemy to ancient practices and the occult. He defines terms simply, including lunar calendars and astrological terms, as well as symbols from prehistory. Rituals and divination, the kabbalah, even the construction of the Sphinx, all lie within these pages, as do examinations of modern practices ranging from Wicca and new age to performances by TV and stage magicians. Regarding the latter, the tricks chosen to be revealed are an odd mix, card-on-ceiling being, perhaps, an especially unusual choice. Nevertheless, this is a tidy reference book on the more niche aspects of the subject. Designed with a modern look and divided by time period into short, well laid-out sections with crisp, effective illustrations, this is not meant to be another instruction manual for budding magicians. Instead, it is intended to be picked up by high-school students looking for information on the otherworldly. -- Joel Shoemaker * Booklist Review *
This is part of a really neat image-focused series of nonfiction books exploring topics of interest to teen readers, including ghosts, UFOs, urban legends, and this one: magic. It's a deep dive into the history of magic, beginning in the prehistoric era and continuing through the rise of magicians, Wicca, crystals, mail-order magic tricks, and more. -- Kelly Jensen * Book Riot *